Transcriptions

8 posts

A Chad Smith drum transcription from the handwritten archives. He unleashes some powerful snare and funk chops on this upbeat Red Hot Chili Peppers track. From the album Mother’s Milk, it’s a force of nature all its own. . Notation key: notes on the bottom of staff = kick […]

“Black Cow” is the opening track of Steely Dan’s classic album “AJA”, and is one of my favorite recorded drum performances. The feel, space, and elegance that Paul Humphrey plays with is unparalleled. The groove is wide and spacious giving the rest of the rest of the instruments and voices […]

More from othe handwritten drum transcription archives, and this one is a rare track “Best Western” from John Scofield’s Electric Outlet album It’s a slow half time feel and Steve Jordan is simply stunning on this recording. The subtle snare drum work in the middle section is amazing, and played […]

From the handwritten transcription archives: FU BU KI From Kazumi Watanabe’s album SPICE OF LIFE TOO, Bill Bruford delivers a tight performance on this track which shifts through different time signatures and figures. It’s solid, and a great track to practice playing in shifting meters with. Notation key: notes on the bottom […]

From Jeff Beck’s “WIRED” album This is the insane drum intro to LED BOOTS which should need no introduction. This is old school-in-your-face fusion drumming (in the vein of Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return To Forever). It’s intense, loose, and he just SLAMS those open high hats. Listen to it loud. […]

Another handwritten drum transcription from the archives. “D.I.Y” is a from Peter Gabriel’s second solo album. The song flows freely between lots of odd meters, but never in a staggering way. Jerry Marotta’s groove is rock solid, and he deceptively keeps a steady quarter note pulse throughout. Like some Beatles […]

The ever graceful Manu Katché plays some of his most musical and intense drumming inside this inspiring passage from “That Voice Again” by Peter Gabriel. It’s all toms cymbals, and kick drum. This is a partial transcription of the song (the second pre-chorus before the last chorus). Incredible! It’s hand […]

Below is a groove idea that I wrote out for my friend Jace D at N.A.M.M. a few years back. We were talking about drum grooves of the 1970s, and how adventurous they were. Even in pop songs. Even the drum fills. I had been fascinated by Steve Gadd’s groove for […]